Robin4

Wow - I was not aware (nor ever told at my LFS) that I didn't need to add the bacteria supplement with every water change!! I've been doing it for over a year now

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Robin

Lucy

Hi Robin, I've moved your question out of Cherry's thread. It would get confusing trying to answer your questions and hers in one thread.

Sorry about the misinformation you recieved. You can either keep using it or stop using it and allow your tank to cycle on it's own.
If you stop using it you have to do daily water changes once you start having an ammonia readings and continue that until your tank cycles properly.

Good luck whatever you decide to do.

Robin4

Thanks Lucy.... what about in my 6 gal tank that had been running for over a year - do I stop using it in there? this is confusing - to use it or not!!!

eiginh

It's up to you if you want to stop using it, but I think Lucy is suggesting to stop using it because with Bacteria Supplements it is not letting your tank fully cycled. Once you stop using it, the ammonia level will rise and your cycle will continue it's own cycle by then.

Robin4

Ah!!!!! Thank you - so for a year now, my 6 gal has not completely cycled Goodness.

Robin

Lucy

I agree with eiginh it's up to you if you want to keep adding the product.
If you haven't had any problems with the cycle for a year it's pretty hard to tell you to stop using it because you'd have to cycle your tank with fish.
That means daily water changes until the cycle is complete.

eiginh

You can also save a lot of money in the long run if you let your tanks naturally finish cycling. There are also Tetra SafeStart and Superbac that will instant cycle your tank in a week but both products are hard to come by unless ordered online for TSS.

gmen4life

you would deff need to be on top of testing

Robin4

Thank you all for your input......